Entropy generation in heat exchanger networks: the component balance approach

Abstract

The optimization of heat exchanger networks is usualy based on targeting for the minimum requirement of externaly supplied utilities and the minimum number of units, along with the determination of the optimum temperature approach. The underlying second law principles are used as a set of rules regarding the heat transfer with respect to the pinch point. There is, however, a class of problems where the full entropy analysis may be beneficial, as in the case with the resilient networks and non-point temperature utilities. In the present work the entropy generation in simple networks is analysed using the component balance approach. It was shown that the entropy generation may have a maximum at a finite value of stream-to-stream heat exchange rate.